BELTON- Another successful season, and one that is still ongoing, yielded plenty of postseason honors from D3football.com when the All-Region teams were released Wednesday.
A total of 13 Crusaders were recognized, with quarterback Kyle King, defensive lineman Sante Parker Jr. and head coach Larry Harmon sweeping the honors of Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year, in Region 3.
King, who is also a semifinalist for D-III football’s prestigious Gagliardi Trophy, has already broken three program records during an exceptional senior season, with his 39 touchdown passes, 241 completed passes, and 3,429 passing yards. He needs just 214 more passing yards and 21 completions to break the UMHB career records in those stat categories as well. Additionally, the Milano, Texas product was selected as the ASC’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Parker has anchored the defensive front as a team captain, with 23 solo tackles and 48 total this season. His 19 tackles for loss are a team-best, as is his 9.5 sacks, which have gone for a loss of 61 yards. A native of Katy, Texas, Parker is also the 2022 ASC Defensive Lineman of the Year and the ASC Defensive Player of the Year.
Harmon, who was selected as the AFCA’s Region 3 Coach of the Year on Tuesday, has had a successful first year as head coach of the program, leading UMHB to its current 12-1 record and national ranking of No. 50 or better in total offense, total defense, rushing offense, rushing defense, passing offense, scoring offense and scoring defense.
Below is a listing of UMHB’s All-Region selections:
Region 3 First Team honorees: Quarterback Kyle King, wide receiver K.J. Miller, center Jeffery Sims Jr., offensive lineman Ethan Ruckman, kicker Anthony Avila, defensive lineman Pete Smith, defensive lineman Sante Parker Jr., linebacker Durand Hill.
Region 3 Second Team honorees: Running back Aphonso Thomas, punt/kick returner K.J. Miller, defensive lineman Trey Belyeu-Witcher
Region 3 Third Team honorees: Linebacker Johnny Smith-Rider, cornerback Titus Dunk
The on field & sideline behaviors of our Crusader 🏈 players & coaches are exemplary-plus regarding their reactions to questionable officiating calls, poor behaviors by opposing team players, etc. They deserve the highest praise in representing the Judeo-Christian teachings of our beloved University.